The cost of getting to workplaces and education providers is stopping young people from progressing their careers

The cost of transport in rural Scotland is preventing youngsters from accessing education and employment.

A report by Scottish Rural Action has found that transport costs in rural Scotland stopped 48% of young people from taking on employment, and 30% from an education or training place.

The study, titled FareEnough?, is based on a survey of young people living in rural communities, and recommends that further research into the issue is carried out in order to examine how to boost opportunities for those living outside urban areas.

The research showed that young people questioned spent an average of 20% of their income on travelling to work, and that a third of them had to travel more than 30 miles per day for work or education.

Emma Cooper, chief executive of Scottish Rural Action, said: “Young people in rural areas deserve the same access to education and employment as young people who live elsewhere, and to do that, we need an integrated, reliable, frequent and affordable public transport system.

“Young people are telling us that they are missing out on jobs and training because public transport costs too much for them, which will have a lifelong impact on their skill levels, earnings and our rural economy.”